What are the best ways to build partnerships for grassroots campaigns?

Network Analysis: Coalitions, consortiums, or movements that are already operational in a related sphere can provide invaluable resources, not just in terms of material or financial contributions, but also knowledge and strategic guidance. Analyze these networks to see how your campaign could fit in or collaborate effectively. Diversity and Inclusion: As you identify potential partners, keep an eye on the diversity of the organizations and individuals involved. Diverse partnerships are often more resilient and innovative because they bring multiple perspectives to problem-solving. Consider how your choice of partners reflects your commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA).

Start with the people closest to the issues, recognize community expertise, and seek out allies who are willing to build on the collective strengths, by sharing their time, knowledge, talent, resources or connections.

Have you got a region/project/objective but still seeking local, invested allies? Try starting with an asset-based strategy. Especially when working with chronically underfunded or underresourced places, communities or objectives- it can be very overwhelming to decide where to begin. However, by implementing an asset-based strategy, you can identify potential partners who are already priming an environment for impact. Assessing the existing assets for an area or community will point your team towards collaborators and leaders who may be excited to have your infusion of support. Start with what's already working and prioritized by the centered stakeholders and folks most affected by your project.

Education and consultation in areas relevant to the campaign is an effective way to get the conversation started. Once you’re communicating with your target audience, more like minded people will join

Posting pictures/videos of staff and community members reading/holding banned books that reflect their culture, experience, interests, etc. & including their info/testimony about why they love the book/material & how important it is to have access to these and other materials.

Talk to EVERYONE. Never close a door because you feel like they don't have anything to offer. New partnerships occur in the most unlikely of places: a chance meet up between neighbors in the grocery line, a LinkedIn post from your old coworker sharing her husband's new project, a bit on TV about a political issue and an organization's efforts to stop it. People change careers and locations all the time- and the broader your network, the more likely you are to find someone with whom you can create a mutually beneficial relationship.

Identifying potential partners in grassroots campaigns is akin to building the foundation of a strong alliance. It requires strategic insight and a keen understanding of the community and its dynamics. Begin by mapping out the stakeholders who are directly affected by the issue you're addressing. These are the individuals, groups, or organizations that have a vested interest in the cause. Equally important are those who possess the influence, expertise, or resources to contribute to your campaign effectively. Furthermore, explore existing networks, coalitions, or movements that are aligned with your goals. Collaborating with like-minded entities not only multiplies your impact but also brings in fresh perspectives and resources.

In grassroots campaigns, building partnerships is not solely a transaction; it's about forging relationships rooted in shared values. Instead of just listing the benefits of collaboration, delve into why your campaign resonates with potential partners on a personal and emotional level. By highlighting the deeper connection to the cause, you're more likely to inspire genuine enthusiasm and commitment, making your partnerships more effective in driving change.

Have a team building luncheon not lasting over an hour, by invitation. Make notes, share ideas, decide if you want to pursue. Make sure you yourself have the energy to make it happen in case of dropout . As the promoter, you must review assets and liabilities of project proposal, inviting others for input.

Just because something doesn't work out the way you intended means it's a failure. The lessons we gain from taking a step back and reevaluating can lead to new processes or priorities that work better than initially intended. Both sides need to be willing to understand that and take joint responsibility in order to provide a united front. Those involved should keep in mind that a good partnership will have times when they give more and times when they take more. Additionally, organizations should regularly set aside time to discuss the relationship and decide whether to continue moving forward or not. This should not be taken personally but instead be used to recognize that partnerships evolve and the end of one does not mean all is lost.

Partners appreciate tangible progress, so I've found that hosting events or engagements that showcase your work and inviting potential partners can significantly expedite the partnership-building process.